Users must pay for roads, says SANRAL CEO

Durban - Although South Africa has the 10th largest road network in the world, its need and efficient usage must be interrogated, says Skhumbuzo Macozoma, CEO of the SA National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL).

He said with political changes since democracy, employees were living closer to their workplaces.

“In a modern world of efficient mobility, how much of the South African road network is really needed and useful?” he asked.

Macozoma was addressing a conference themed “Roads to Social and Economic Growth” arranged by the South African Road Federation (SARF) in association with the Washington-based International Road Federation (IRF) and the Paris-based World Roads Association (PIARC), in Durban.

Speaking during a breakaway session on Road Financing, Macozoma said South Africa has a total road network of 750 000 kilometres (158 124 paved and 591 876 gravel).

Of this SANRAL is responsible for 22 214 kilometres of the road system.

He said consumers and road users today demanded rapid mobility with efficiencies and minimal costs.

Macozoma said questions must be asked about the most suitable funding model for roads infrastructure.

He said the fuel levy provided insufficient funding.

“The future contribution of the fuel levy to the Central Revenue Fund is uncertain with the projected electric car take-off in 2022 and established vehicle efficiency technologies.

“In less than five years, electric cars will cost the same as their internal combustion counterparts and that’s the point of lift-off for sales.

“The total estimated funding requirements to sustain the South African road network, including addressing backlogs in surfacing and capacity expansion is R116.1 billion. The current allocation for the road network is R52 bn. What can we afford and how do we prioritise?” Macozoma asked.

He proposed that a funding policy for transport infrastructure and road infrastructure must be driven by National Treasury working with sector departments.

“Funding strategies must be deliberate and agreed. A suite of funding models is available. South Africa must be decisive about how to fund its roads.